Mount Kenya Trekking

Mount Kenya is the less climbed cousin of Mount Kilimanjaro nearby in Tanzania, however many people prefer the wilderness, abundant wildlife and stunning mountain lakes that you find on Mount Kenya. Point Lenana at 4985m metres is a feasible trekking peak and also currently the worlds highest via ferrata summit route, which adds to the challenge and enjoyment. The panoramic views of the jagged volcanic peaks, wide valleys and surrounding savannah makes a trek on this mountain a thoroughly enjoyable African experience.

We have been guiding trips on Mount Kenya since 1996 and have full time mountain staff at the base. We adopt a proper approach to acclimatisation which means that the ascent is not rushed. We run advertised trips on all the main routes with scheduled dates but can also offer tailor-made private trips and can add-on safari’s to experience a bit more of Kenya’s diverse culture and unique wildlife in some of the world’s great National Parks, Game Reserves and Conservancies.

ABOUT MOUNT KENYA

The tallest in Kenya, and the second highest in Africa, Mount Kenya stands 5199m tall. There are several summits on Mount Kenya: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. Despite being a strato-volcano, the peak itself gets its rugged profile from previously being covered in ice. Today, there are 11 small glaciers still on the peak.

The area surrounding the peak make up Mt Kenya National Park, well known for its unique flora and fauna. From the lowland savannah and bamboo forests the flora changes as you rise in elevation. Here you will find the unique high-altitude equatorial environment. The landscape seems as if it belongs on another planet with strange plants and misty terrain.

The approach to Mount Kenya from Nairobi involves a journey of about four hours to either the town of Naro Moru or Embu, where we can provide accommodation in a local hotel or our Guest House. Naro Moru is the base for ascents on the Sirimon, Burguret and Naro Moru routes and Embu is used for the Chogoria route. All our advertised prices are based on camping on the mountain but there are also huts on the Sirimon, Naro Moru and Chogoria routes which you can upgrade to.

Mount Kenya from a distance, the mountain provides a major water table for the whole country and the surrounding land is the breadbasket of Kenya.

MOUNT KENYA TREKKING ROUTES

View from the Sirimon Route showing the technical climbing peaks of Batian and Nelion.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Simply drop us a line.

MOUNT KENYA NARO MORU ROUTE

This particular trek ascends the Noro Moru Route from the west and is our most popular option for the ascent. It includes the notorious ‘Vertical Bog’ which ascends for an hour or so above the Met Camp and takes the hiker into the Teleki Valley and up to Mackinders Camp. From here, an acclimatisation day follows and then an early start to the summit, initially over easy paths to the head of the valley and then up a steep zigzag route on loose ground to reach the Austrian Hut at the base of the Lewis Glacier which has now retreated significantly over the past twenty years.

Aside from the stunning beauty, this route has the added challenge of a Via Ferrata. Feel the airy exposure of scrambling the side of the summit ridge from the Austrian Hut, the fixed lines help to provide a bit of extra confidence however the Naro Moru approach to the summit is definitely an adrenaline rush for those looking to experience the exposure of rugged peaks. From the summit our most popular descent is the stunning Chogoria route but cheaper and faster descents can be made down the Sirimon route or back down the Naro Moru route.

The Noro Moru Route offers some of the best scenery. Batain and Nelion are the two highest peaks, with Point John to the right, Lenana is out of view in the photo.

MOUNT KENYA CHOGORIA ROUTE

Like the Noro Moru Route, the Chogoria Route of Mt Kenya does not require any technical climbing skills.Arguably this most beautiful of the trekking routes, it is also the longer option and our most popular option for the descent, however you can ascend the Chogoria route too. This route starts and ends at Embu and requires 4×4 transport to reach the starting point. It is also a trekking route that summits Point Lenana taking you through the Gorges Valley and the Lewis Glacier. There are lakes and tarns to explore along this route, although not the same infrastructure that you get on the Naro Moru and Sirimon routes, any climb on the Chogoria side will be a camping trip.

Stunning views along the Chogoria Route with giant lobelia in the foreground, just one of many unique plants to be found on this mountain.

MOUNT KENYA SIRIMON ROUTE

Sirimon is another walking route that reaches Point Lenana, this route is the easiest of the three trekking routes to Point Lenana. Also starting from Naro Moru, the route takes five days and the diverse scenery and enjoyable hiking make this route the perfect choice if accompanied with a descent down the other side on the Chogoria route.

Green lakes along the Sirimon Route

COMBINATION ROUTES, TRAVERSES & SUMMIT CIRCUITS ON MOUNT KENYA

We have several different combination routes for trekking to Point Lenana, allowing you to go up one route and down another. Almost all are camping routes, but some have mountain huts that you can upgrade to. Our Mount Kenya Traverse ascends the Naro Moru and descends via the Chogoria route over 5 or 6 days and would be our recommendation as it combines spectacular beauty with airy and challenging trekking and good acclimatisation. The Summit Circuit is a bit longer at seven days and explores the nooks and crannies of the mountain, circling the summit massif and camping high throughout. It includes going on a hunt for “Icy Mike” a very lost elephant!!

TECHNICAL CLIMBS UP MOUNT KENYA BATIAN PEAK

If you are a proficient trad climber, you will love the challenge of Batian Peak, the true summit of Mount Kenya (5,199m). Previous technical rock climbing experience is required for this 21-pitch climb. All 21 pitches are done in one day, making this Mt Kenya summit not only a beautiful climb, but an exhausting one as well. This peak is best attempted in June through August.